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Updated: Dec 4, 2025
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Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Published on: August 24, 2015
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The structural basis of herpesvirus entry
Sarah A Connolly1, Theodore S Jardetzky2, Richard Longnecker3
1Department of Health Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA. sarah.connolly@depaul.edu.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|October 22, 2020
Summary
Herpesviruses use distinct entry glycoproteins to infect cells, but share conserved fusion machinery. Recent structural studies clarify these conserved and unique features of viral entry.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Structural Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Herpesviruses are widespread DNA viruses causing lifelong infections and diseases.
- Viral entry into host cells involves receptor binding and membrane fusion mediated by glycoproteins.
- Each herpesvirus species utilizes specific receptors and glycoproteins for entry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent structural insights into herpesvirus entry.
- To analyze the structures of diverse entry glycoproteins.
- To clarify conserved and unique features of herpesvirus cell entry.
Main Methods:
- Crystallography
- Electron microscopy
- Structural analysis of viral entry glycoproteins
Main Results:
- Defined interaction sites between glycoprotein complexes and receptors.
- Revealed conformational changes in glycoproteins upon receptor binding.
- Clarified conserved fusion machinery (gH-gL, gB) and diverse receptor-binding glycoproteins (HSV-1 gD, EBV gp42, HCMV complexes).
Conclusions:
- Structural studies have significantly advanced our understanding of herpesvirus entry mechanisms.
- Both conserved and species-specific features govern herpesvirus cell entry.
- Detailed structural models provide a foundation for future research and therapeutic strategies.
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